Murray comes through tricky opener in New York

Andy Murray dispatched the unpredictable Australian Nick Kyrgios to progress to the second round of the US Open in New York.

The former champion and number three seed was under no illusions about the difficulty facing him in his opening match at Flushing Meadows.

But he broke the Aussie's big serve seven times to progress 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in just under three hours.

He will now face France's Adrian Mannarino on Thursday.

"He's unpredictable," said Murray. "He can play all of the shots, he serves extremely well, he's a fantastic athlete, a big guy, covers the court extremely well. It's tough to get the ball out of his strike zone.

"It was a very tricky match and I just fought hard, mixed it up and managed to get
through.

"I'm getting old now - 28 years old. I need to get in the ice bath and cool off a bit."

Konta maintains winning run at US Open

Jo Konta continued her impressive recent form to make the second round at the US Open.

The world number 97 won through three qualifying rounds in New York and beat American wildcard Louisa Chirico 6-3, 6-0 to set up a clash with ninth seed Garbine Muguruza.

Fellow Brit Aljaz Bedene also progressed after rival Ernests Gulbis retired, Bedene was leading 3-6, 6-4, 3-0 at the time.

But there were defeats for Laura Robson, who went down 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to Russia's Elena Vesnina and James Ward, beaten 6-1, 7-5, 6-3 by Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci.

Tanner happy as men's four keep Rio hopes alive

GB Rowing team performance director Sir David Tanner declared himself a happy man as two of his crews kept their 2016 Rio Olympic hopes alive at the World Championships.

Both the open men’s quadruple scull and the men’s four faced a last-chance repechage in order to keep both their World Championship and Rio dreams intact out in France.

And both crews passed the test in flying colours, winning their races and advancing through to Thursday’s semi-finals.

“That was a good performance today and what we would expect of them [the men’s four],” he told British Rowing.

“Their [the men’s quad] second half showed the grit and determination and speed which they are capable of.

“That will give them confidence to go into the next race and show more of the form that we know they can produce.

Wiggins confirmed for Tour of Britain

Sir Bradley Wiggins will line-up when the Tour of Britain begins in North Wales this weekend.

Wiggins, who won the 2013 Tour of Britain, will lead his own Team WIGGINS in their first appearance in the race.

World hour record holder Wiggins is targeting a fifth Olympic gold next year back on the track with the team pursuit squad.

O'Connor excited about return to Olympic pool in London

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor insists she can’t wait to compete again in London following the official release of the competition schedule for next year’s European Aquatics Championships.

Over 900 athletes are expected to compete at next year’s European Championships – last major aquatics event prior to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

And despite the sheer number O’Connor will certainly be one to watch following her 4x100m mixed medley gold and 200m medley bronze from the recent World Championships in Kazan.

O’Connor competed at the London Aquatics Centre at the 2012 Olympics before going on to claim an incredible six medals from the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

And she can’t wait to strut her stuff in the capital once more as she builds up for the
2016 Olympics in Rio.

“The World Championships in Kazan were great for me and the team, I was so happy to come away with my first world medals,” she said.

“I love racing at the big events and can’t wait for the European Championships next year.

“Now that the worlds have passed and the schedule for the European Championships is out, the road to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is starting to take shape.

Victoria Pendleton to host Olympic Ball

The talents of double Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton are seemingly never ending and next month the cyclist-turned-jockey tries her hand at presenting as she takes up the role of host at the Team GB Ball.

Pendleton, along with co-host Mark Durden-Smith, will front the star-studded night of Olympic talent on September 9th as medallists from London 2012 and previous Games descend on London’s Royal Opera House to celebrate the countdown to Rio 2016.

Tom Daley, Sir Ben Ainslie, Beth Tweddle, Sir Steve Redgrave plus many others will join Pendleton for an evening of entertainment and auctioning and the track sprint star is looking forward to her new role as the first ever Olympian to host the Ball.

“I’ve been to a fair few Team GB Balls before as a competitor and I have always wanted to give hosting a try. With so many other Olympians coming at least I will be amongst friends when up there on stage in front of everyone,” said Pendleton.